Not here....HERE

Rome was double-booked.  The downer is, we really agonized over the place to stay.  The upper is, they gave us a "better" place for the same price....so HERE is where we'll be in Rome.

"Gorgeous and bright 95 sq.mt 2 bedroom 2 bathroom flat in Rome, located on the second floor of a period building (with elevator) in the heart of the historical centre, a few metres from Campo de Fiori and Piazza Navona, and very close to Piazza Castel Sant`Angelo and the Vatican."

The web pictures aren't worth posting here....but you can check them out on the rental site.

Buon giorno. Piacere di conosclera.

According to my Italian phrase book...that means Hello (Good Day), How do you do, pleased to meet you.

I'm boning up...cuz the flights are booked and the lodging is booked...and only 20 days after we return from Cape Cod we're winging our way across the Atlantic to Italy.

It's the big three - Rome, Florence, Venice....

We begin with three nights in Rome staying here: (nope....double booked...ah the joys of internet travel arrangements....now we'll be HERE.
"Elegant and spacious 2 storey townhouse in Rome dating back to the beginning of the 1900s, with 2 bedrooms and two splendid terraces, located in a quiet private alley in the heart of the San Lorenzo area, a few steps from Termini railway station."

Love the poster!

Then two nights in Florence, staying here:
"Constructed in the 15th century (THE 15th Century you know nothing Americans!), Palazzo Salviati is a classic example of late Medieval Florentine architecture and is protected by the Belle Arti (Ministry of Culture). The splendid stone facade, the magnificent serena stone staircase and the 15th Century frescoes are just some of the main characteristics of this wonderful building. The spectacular terraces offer a unique panorama of the city."

And finally four nights in Venice, staying here:
"A noble beginning of the Fifteenth century building (Again with the 15h century...), located in a very pleasant area of Venice, a short distance from piazzale Roma, the University, Chiesa dei Frari church, campo Santa Margherita and from the Gallerie dell'Accademia, Hotel Al Sole welcomes you amongst typical Venetian atmospheres and modern comforts. Delightful indoor garden, a real privilege for a hotel in Venice, classic, superior and junior suite rooms, make Hotel Al Sole one of the most pleasant 3 star hotels in Venice."

I'm never coming home.

After the Silence

So I'm suddenly bubbling over with stuff to say.  And of course that means that I won't be able to say much of anything that actually makes sense...and that I may...um...overshare a bit?

So consider that your warning.

I'm going to focus on one theme with several elements.  The theme?  Aging.

Ok, consider that your second warning.  Continue at your own risk.

I've been a little obsessed lately with aging. First, there has been the most definite shift to most conversations in my life being about health related topics.  Mine.  My friends.  My relatives.  My co-workers.  My co-workers' relatives.  My friends' relatives.  My friends' coworkers.  You name it.  If they are within six degrees of Wenderina there is bound to be some kind of  "...And then the Doctor said..." in our discussion.  Ugh.  I mean I really am interested in the lives of the people around me (and am absolutely certain they are fascinated by my tales of aches and pains), but what happened to talking about the latest gossip?  the latest movie? book? political scandal? dirty joke? etc.  Why does almost every topic lead to bowels, menstrual cycles, blood pressure, and psychoses?

Then, I was standing in the bathroom at work in a snug-fit t-shirt and I noticed....a problem with my...um... headlights...IF you know what I mean.  Since when are the girls looking like a wall-eyed hillbilly?  I mean one was pointing up and to the right and the other was pointing down and to the left.  They looked like they were trying to run away from one another!

Then there is the ever growing "senior moments".  Where are my keys?  Where is my camera memory card? Where is my credit card? Where is my purse?  What did I walk in this room to do?  What was I supposed to get done this morning?  Where is the meeting?  What comes after 3?  What is that person's name?  Yes, the person I've worked with for 10 years...I'm drawing a blank.  I'm drawing lots of blanks.

I'm theorizing that a vacation is what is needed.  So...we are counting down. Eight days until this:

Cape Cod 2010...here we come.  Hope my old bones can handle it.

Deafening Silence

For some reason lately I don't seem to have much to say.  Not in conversations.  Not at work.  Not at home.  And the end result is, not on this blog.

I don't know why.

I don't feel stressed or depressed - at least no more than my usual anxious self, I'm just silent.  I guess I had recognized it, at least partially, but hadn't realized others had too.  Hubby was giving me my favorite start of the day today - a sweet kiss goodbye that finally shakes me into wakefulness to get my day going.  And as he left he said, "Is everything ok?  You haven't had much to say lately."  And there it is in a nutshell.

I don't have much to say lately.

If I were forced at gunpoint to tick off on my fingers what has been going on, there is plenty to say. 

• Family visitors coming in this weekend and I'm looking forward to it. We'll have a big birthday celebration on Saturday and the weather looks great for our plans of a casual BBQ setting.  I'm hoping also to finally get to take my Mom to the Red Hat Bistro, a restaurant with a spectacular location on the Hudson River.
• We are counting down the days for our annual trip to the Cape and we can hardly wait!  Today I quite literally almost chucked it all and had to force myself to exit the highway at my office rather than pushing north to the Cape TODAY.
• Work is nuts and we are preparing all kinds of international plans, strategies and proposals to grow our business even in this sad economy.  My position is solidifying in the new MERGER organization and I'm feeling pretty psyched about the job. 
• One of my best friends and best colleagues is leaving my company for greener pastures.  Thank goodness she blogs so I can keep up on her life virtually. But who will I lunch with 3 times a week?
• Next week we'll be running upstate NY (maybe in the hot new car) to celebrate two of my best friends' 25th wedding anniversary.  I was in their wedding oh so long ago and cannot believe how fast the time has gone by.
• We have almost completed our plans for our first trip to Europe - Rome, Florence and Venice Italy in late September.  It seems like a dream.
• Physical therapy continues and according to the torture master (aka physical therapist) I'm doing better - moving from 50% range of motion to 74% in just 2.5 weeks.  But I'm not loving the pain.  At all.

But I'm not really talking about any of this. 

Usually if I'm this quiet, I'm pissed, or maybe a little freaked out, but at this point I think I'm just a little tired and slowing down a bit.  I'm a little contemplative.  I'm a little in my own head.  I'm enjoying reading.  I'm enjoying driving my new car and maximizing my iPod and the XM radio.  I'm working hard.  I'm planning Italy. 

I'm being quiet.

Unusual, because usually I talk too much. 

It's a new way of being.

A Good Day for Equality

Federal judge Vaughn Walker overturns California's Prop 8 in win for same-sex marriage